David Cameron's decentralisation plans for councils do little more than rehash details in the Conservatives' local government green paper from February.

In today's speech,Cameron reiterated that he would strengthen local government by giving councils the "power of general competence".

This would allow them to raise money to keep open local services, such as post offices, and effectively reverse unpopular central government decisions to close them in the first place.

But it is unclear that this would herald the "massive redistribution of power" to local authorities Cameron talks of. Promises to empower neighbourhoods as well as councils, while cutting back on "interference" from central government – targets and inspections and bureaucracy – are not a million miles away from Labour's agenda either.

Andy Sawford, chief executive of the Local Government Information Unit thinktank is sceptical that councils would grasp any new powers the Tories' plans would give them.

He says they will make a small and welcome difference, but the issue is how they are put into legislation and, more importantly, how local authority lawyers interpret them.

The proposal is unlikely to change the political landscape, he says.

A spokesman at the New Local Government Network thinktank called it "aspirational, bold and radical" but little more than a good piece of PR.

"There's nothing in there about reform of local government finance – particularly as our system is one of the most centrally controlled in Europe and councils have no way of raising money outside of council tax.

"It's good he's talking about devolving power, but it's very difficult to judge the merit of proposals without them setting out how they would make them and pay for them."

So, not a resounding thumbs up from the commentators.

Are Cameron's proposals helpful? Would they change the balance of power? Or would central government – even under the Tories – still keep councils on a tight leash?